Beware of Greed

Beware of Greed

Daily teaching   January 19, 2026

 Luke 12:15 (NIV)

Then he said to them, *Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed*; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.

Jesus warns that greed—an excessive desire for wealth or material things can poison life. True life isn’t measured by how much you own.

1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Greed for money can lead to all sorts of wrongdoing.

Ephesians 5:3 “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” Greed is listed alongside sexual sin—something believers should avoid.

Colossians 3:5 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” Greed is equated with idolatry—putting material desire above God.

Makaro akashata Mfundisi *greed distracts you from God and can corrupt your heart*.

Praying for Spiritual Growth

Praying for Spiritual Growth

Daily teaching   January 19, 2026

 Reformed Church in Zimbabwe

18 January 2026

Luke 2:45–47

Theme: Praying for Spiritual Growth

Psalm 92:13–14 says: “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” Jesus was missing for three days, but verse 46 says: “They found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” Verse 47 adds: “Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” At only twelve years old, the Word of God was already abundant in His life. One reason children lose their way today is being removed from environments where they hear God’s Word. Psalm 119:130 says: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

On this day, pray for the grace to set aside time to read God’s Word, so that you may always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the hope within you, yet do so with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3:15).

By Rev S Magwati

Overcoming The Flesh...

Overcoming The Flesh...

Daily teaching   January 17, 2026

 *DAILY DEVOTIONS MCZ MISSION DEPARTMENT*

*✝ Romans 8:13*

"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."

Someone has to win the War of letting the flesh rule in their lives.Most people are ruled by the flesh, the carnal nature that basically tells them to live and do whatever they feel rather than what the Holy Spirit says. You are letting the flesh win the war within if you give in to temptations, laziness, and compromise. The better option is to walk and live in accordance with the Spirit. That means that you do the right thing when it’s hard, you bite your tongue when someone is rude, you stay faithful in your relationships when someone is trying to lure you away.

What’s limiting some people is not that they are not talented or don’t have God’s favor; it’s that they keep obeying the flesh. The next time you are tempted to be jealous, to find fault, to say something critical, or to let a friend cause you to compromise, tell your flesh, “No, I am not going there.” Quit letting the flesh push you around. You have to take charge of your life. Don’t keep giving in to the same things that you know are holding you back from life in the Spirit.

Rev. Dr. MMS Dube Installed as New Lutheran Church Presiding Bishop

Rev. Dr. MMS Dube Installed as New Lutheran Church Presiding Bishop

Local   January 16, 2026

 

In December, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ) marked a historic milestone with the official installation of Rev. Dr. MMS Dube as its Presiding Bishop.

The installation ceremony, attended by clergy, church leaders and congregants from across the country, ushered Rev. Dr. Dube into a five-year term of leadership. The event was celebrated as a moment of renewal and continuity within the church.

Church officials expressed confidence that Rev. Dr. Dube’s theological insight, pastoral experience and vision would help guide the ELCZ in strengthening its spiritual mission, unity and service to communities during his tenure.

RCZ-Run Zimuto High School Shines With Perfect A-Level Results

RCZ-Run Zimuto High School Shines With Perfect A-Level Results

Local   January 16, 2026

 

MASVINGO – Zimuto High School, under the stewardship of the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ), has reaffirmed its place among the country’s top-performing secondary schools after producing exceptional results in the 2025 Advanced Level examinations.

The institution recorded an outstanding overall pass rate of 99.18 percent, a marked rise from the 96 percent achieved the previous year, reflecting steady academic growth and improved learner outcomes.

Out of 122 students who sat for the examinations — 62 boys and 60 girls — an impressive 119 passed all their subjects. The school posted a flawless 100 percent pass rate in 13 learning areas, while three other subjects registered strong performances ranging between 88 percent and 98.4 percent.

Individual excellence also stood out, with 19 learners attaining 15 points and above. The results highlighted the school’s strength in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), an area where Zimuto High School continues to make notable strides.

Beyond the classroom, the school has also maintained a strong presence in sports, having performed well in several provincial competitions last year, reinforcing its commitment to balanced learner development.

School head Langton Chikaka credited the success to teamwork, discipline and a shared determination to outperform previous results.

“These results reflect the dedication of our teachers and the strong work ethic of our learners,” Chikaka said. “Even though we faced challenges such as limited ICT resources, we remained focused and innovative in our approach.”

He explained that the school introduced measures such as extended study hours, academic workshops, holiday lessons and improved internet access to support learners, while maintaining high standards of discipline and motivation.

“Our aim is not only academic excellence but the development of well-rounded students through sports and other co-curricular activities,” he added.

The latest results further cement Zimuto High School’s reputation as a centre of academic and holistic excellence within the Zimbabwean education system, in line with the goals of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

Igor Thiago Praises Jesus After Breaking Premier League Brazilian Scoring Record

Igor Thiago Praises Jesus After Breaking Premier League Brazilian Scoring Record

international   January 15, 2026

Staff Writer-

Brentford and Brazilian striker Igor Thiago has become the latest Premier League player to publicly express his Christian faith following a record-breaking run of form.

The 24-year-old scored twice in Brentford’s 3–0 home victory over Sunderland at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday night, a performance that saw him become the Premier League’s all-time leading Brazilian goalscorer — with an incredible 17 matches still remaining in the season.

Thiago first equalled the record earlier in the match, reaching 15 goals in record time, before extending his tally to 16 goals in just 21 appearances. The milestone came only three days after he produced a stunning hat-trick in a 4–1 win over Everton, further underlining his lethal finishing.

While his performances on the pitch have drawn praise, it was Thiago’s reaction off it that captured widespread attention. Responding to a Brentford Instagram post captioned “It’s what he does!”, the striker commented: “This is what Jesus does,” openly crediting his faith for his success.

Thiago joins a growing number of Premier League players who have publicly acknowledged their Christian faith through social media, including Chelsea’s Estevão, Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze and Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo.

Football-focused social media platform Ballers in God has highlighted the rising trend of footballers using the game as a platform to share and promote their faith.

With nearly half the season still to be played, Thiago’s remarkable goal-scoring form could continue, as the Brentford striker now sets his sights on the Premier League Golden Boot.

Never Lose Hope In Ministry

Never Lose Hope In Ministry

Daily teaching   January 15, 2026

 WORDS OF LIFE

Monday 12 January 2026

LUKE 4:14-28

Rejected (1)

'The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour' (vv 18-19)

MANIFESTOS are two a penny these days. Many companies have a stated manifesto for why and how they operate. Schools and colleges across the world also have something similar. Perhaps most commonly, whenever there is a general election all the political parties produce them in the hope of swaying the opinions of the voters.

Isaiah's words, opened and read in the synagogue by Jesus, were his 'manifesto for mission'. Jesus had returned from his time in the wilderness stronger than ever, and had now commenced his ministry. Such is the fickle nature of the human heart that attitudes changed towards him very quickly. In Galilee, he taught in its synagogues and everyone praised him, but not so in Nazareth.

In the Nazareth synagogue, Jesus read from the words of Isaiah (61:1-2), and then he declared he was the fulfilment of that prophecy. This was hard for his listeners to take, and we find a similarity with Jesus' third temptation. The people wanted proof. They sought to put Jesus into the same position as that which Satan had tried, but again Jesus resisted.

Jesus declared what his ministry would be: preaching the gospel, helping people to be free to really live, performing acts of mercy, working for social equality and fairness, and celebrating God's grace to disheartened people. But he was just a local boy; in their eyes, simply the son of Mary and Joseph. How could he have such authority? And in seemingly just a few moments, his popularity dissipated, and 'all the people in the synagogue' became furious with him.

The praise of other people should never be the goal of the follower of Jesus because it can change in an instant. Rather, we should seek the approval and pleasure of God alone, who is consistent and trustworthy.

PRAYER

Lord, may I live and act for an audience of just one. Amen.

#RootedInPrayerAndCommitment  - Salvationist online

From Begging to Belonging: How God’s Peace Transformed a Community in Zambia

From Begging to Belonging: How God’s Peace Transformed a Community in Zambia

international   January 14, 2026

What does peace really look like in everyday life? For Juliet Ilunga, Tearfund’s Influencing Programme Manager in Zambia, peace was not just the absence of conflict, but a visible transformation of hearts, attitudes and community life through faith in God.

In Wisdom Township, life was once marked by deep poverty, dependence and a loss of dignity. Many residents were trapped in a cycle of need, often reduced to begging just to survive. Hope felt distant, and the future uncertain.

That reality began to change when the community partnered with Tearfund and embarked on a journey of faith reflection and collective visioning. By rediscovering their God-given worth and exploring what their Christian faith truly meant for their daily lives, residents began to see themselves not as victims, but as stewards of God’s grace.

As faith took root, so did peace. The community moved from a posture of desperation to one of hospitality. People who once begged began opening their homes, sharing what little they had, and supporting one another with renewed purpose. Dignity was restored, relationships were healed, and a spirit of unity replaced hopelessness.

Juliet’s story is a powerful reminder that true peace flows from God’s work among His people. When faith is lived out and a shared vision is embraced, transformation is always possible. Where God is at work, communities can rise, dignity can be restored, and peace can flourish.